The Future of Sustainability 2024/2025: Reimagining the Way the World Works showcases examples of organisations or communities — ‘Bright Spots’ — that are fundamentally reimagining how we live and work, with game-changing potential to create a future in which both people and the planet thrive. Read more
This report is a qualitative exploration of impact told from the unique perspectives of those at the heart of changemaking Read more
Enabling Systemic Circularity in Fashion is a pre-competitive industry initiative led by Forum for the Future that aims to support the reconfiguring of textile and fashion value chains away from the current linear, extractive model to one that is fair, responsible, socially and ecologically regenerative. Read more
The Business Guide to Advancing Climate Justice, co-published by Forum for the Future and B Lab U.S. is designed for businesses that are working to address the climate crisis by using equity-centered solutions. Read more
Explore selected publications and reports from across our work.
This addendum to the Bridging the Gap toolkit is designed to be a starting point for supporting practitioners to measure social outcomes of sustainable and regenerative agriculture programs. Read more
This new report from Forum for the Future and Waitrose through the Climate and Health Coalition, lays out the potential for a narrative that highlights the health benefits, as well as the environmental benefits of regenerative agriculture as a route to activating consumer and citizen support for regenerative agriculture in the UK. Read more
There is extensive literature around the issue of social justice in the energy transition. Yet, when it comes to how the growth of AI could impact this nexus, discussions and frameworks are still nascent. Forum for the Future has developed a taxonomy that aims to address this gap. Read more
Woody biomass will play a key role in decarbonisation pathways, with properties that make it well suited to a circular transition. This white paper provides a multi-sector diagnosis and implications of a circular economy for woody biomass, interventions for system change, and principles to act as a common language and decision-making framework, Read more
Extreme heat is the deadliest—and most underestimated—climate threat in the U.S. This new white paper from Forum for the Future and Trane Technologies, through the Climate and Health Coalition, lays out a shared agenda for collective action to protect people, communities, and economies from rising heat. Read more
Read our annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December, 2024. Read more
This new report tells the story of the future of UK fruit through the work and images of those innovating and driving momentum for a thriving and resilient sector. Read more
This report offers timely, practical guidance for civil society and philanthropists, as well as businesses, policymakers to help shape mineral value chains that are not only economically robust but also socially equitable and environmentally sustainable Read more
This new report, produced by the Climate and Health Coalition, provides businesses with a roadmap to integrate climate action and health equity into their core strategies, unlocking long-term value while improving public health outcomes and strengthening community resilience. Read more
Developed in partnership with Bentley Environmental Foundation, the BTC 2.0 is a practical guide to help businesses navigate complexity and take meaningful action toward a prosperous, fairer, thriving future. Read more
This Future Food Trajectories toolkit shares a taster of futures material from Forum for the Future to help explore, and potentially to challenge, current themes, narratives, debates and assumptions about what the future holds, what change is needed, and what good outcomes look like (and for whom). Read more
Powerful Futures: Practitioner Insights on the Just Transition to Renewable Energy is a guide by practitioners for practitioners who are committed to ensuring that the global shift to renewable energy is equitable and inclusive. Read more
This report – commissioned by the Clean Air Fund and produced by Forum for the Future in partnership with iovoli pharmaceutical consulting - calls for more integrated environmental and health policy mechanisms that prevent and reduce outdoor air polluting emissions. Read more
Read our annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December, 2023. Read more
This toolkit was commissioned by the International Civil Society Centre within the framework of its initiative ‘Anticipating futures for civil society operating space’, part of the Solidarity Action Network (SANE). It draws upon insights and lessons learned from the International Civic Forum 2023 where we tested with civil society professionals how to translate future scenarios into actionable plans. The toolkit was written by Siddhi Ashar, Mareyah Bhatti from Forum for the Future, and Patricia Read more
Agroecology brings multiple benefits to people and the environment. In a region like Southeast Asia with an estimated 100 million smallholder farmers, this could mean saving costs and increasing yields in the long-term. But what are the barriers that prevent agroecology from taking root, and how can the finance sector drive change? Read more
REI Philippines' first report provides a comprehensive look at the Philippines' energy transition, assessing the ecological and social impacts of major renewable energy sources and exploring strategies for their management and mitigation. Read more
The ‘Cotton 2040 Impact Report’ provides the concluding updates from the Cotton 2040 initiative, sharing key findings from three focus areas and four topline recommendations to make cotton a climate resilient, agriculturally regenerative, and socially equitable crop. Read more
Our planetary systems are in crisis. For lasting change, we need to start addressing planetary challenges with integrated solutions. Forum for the Future partnered with Mars and IDH to commission research that explores how companies can integrate both social and environmental agendas. Read more
Read our annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December, 2022. Read more
Our report, "Growing our Future: Scaling regenerative agriculture in the UK - Accelerating change through collaboration”, calls for action to revolutionise the UK's food and farming system by promoting regenerative agricultural practices, and offers actionable insights to transform the way we produce and consume food. Read more
What could ambitious leadership and a just and regenerative future for a thriving protein ecosystem look like? Our latest report shares insights from an Action Inquiry on how reshaping business models and value chains can address emerging challenges in the protein innovation landscape. Read more
Our latest report, Tackling Microfibres at Source: Investigating opportunities to reduce microfibre pollution from the fashion industry through textile design and manufacturing innovation, presents findings from our 21-month long research and investigative process, and shares recommendations for how textile manufacturers, brands and retailers can take active steps to reduce microfibre pollution. Read more
Commissioned by Oxford Farming Conference (OFC), this report aims to inform the debate between food system stakeholders and food producers on the UK’s food supply chain and what is needed for a thriving food future. Read more
The ‘BECCS Done Well’ Report joins others in recognising that a range of Negative Emissions Technologies — both nature- and technology-based — will be needed if we are to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5oC by the end of the century. Read more
Finance is an extraordinarily powerful agent of change. What role does the finance sector have in response to the multiple chaotic transitions underway? This paper looks at some of the innovative ideas gaining interest in corners of the finance sector, primarily viewed through a capital markets investment lens, and from a European perspective. Read more
In this 2022 report, the Climate and Health Coalition reviews progress, highlights some encouraging examples of integrated action on climate and health which deserve to be widely replicated, and details actions business can take to seize the initiative and make change happen. Read more
Forum for the Future’s focus on animal feed has often looked at land-based animals, but in 2022, our attention moved to aquaculture, and more specifically, salmon feed. Explore the report capturing learnings and principles that can address the wider (aquaculture) sector. Read more
This report was written in partnership between Forum for the Future and Capgemini to stimulate an important debate about how professional services companies and other organisations working to deliver sustainability outcomes for their clients or partners can meaningfully measure these outcomes (initially in terms of carbon impacts). Read more
A more sustainable future in which people and the planet can thrive is within our grasp. Creating it will mean embracing the immensely unsettled nature of a world that is changing, everyday. Read more
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At Forum for the Future we have set our vision as a just and regenerative future, and our mission is to accelerate the transition towards it. A just and regenerative approach means strengthening the capacity of all living systems to adapt, replenish and regenerate; respecting everyone’s human rights and potential to thrive; and rewiring our economies and societies to serve both people and the planet. Read more
The 'What’s next for regenerative agriculture in the US report' takes stock of the dynamic regenerative agriculture system in the US, sets out how the Growing our Future partners are working to ensure a deep and collaborative transition that centers social equity as well as environmental resilience, and shares initial results from its collaborative pilots focused on agricultural policy, finance for farmers' transitions, and pathways to market for regeneratively-produced products. Read more
Full insights now available on the Future of Sustainability: Looking Back to Go Forward Read more
Climate change and biodiversity loss is the single biggest threat to life on this planet. Science tells us we only have a few years to implement the radical changes needed to mitigate this crisis. Boundless Roots brought together diverse, sustainable lifestyle practitioners to engage in a shared inquiry around how to bring about the radical changes in society we believe are needed. This report provides an overview of the findings from this 2-year action inquiry. Read more
In partnership with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Forum sets out a working definition of what it means for a business to be ‘just and regenerative’ and provides practical guidance on how to get there. The report, ‘A Compass for Just and Regenerative Business’, launched in November 2021, and provides a ‘Business Transformation Compass’ to support you in navigating change - and putting theory into practice. Read more
In response to a current lack of guidance, Forum for the Future, Bupa, GSK Consumer Healthcare and Walgreens Boots Alliance have published recommendations for the private sector to urgently and simultaneously act on the twin crises of climate change and public health. Read more
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020 Read more
The Breaking Down Fats and Oils report assesses all the major vegetable oils and animal fats consumed globally as one system, presenting a comparison of their environmental, social, nutritional and financial impacts - the first time ever this has been done. It argues that nuance, context and in-depth assessment are all needed to assess all factors, both positive and negative, associated with each ingredient. Read more
The Responsible Energy Initiative is a multi-year programme working to ensure renewable energy in Asia achieves its full potential for positive environmental and social outcomes. Read more
A comprehensive guide to public procurement originally published in Dec, 2017 by Williams, Stuart; Chambers, Tom; Hills, Sarah; Dowson, Fiona. Read more
Forum for the Future's latest Future of Sustainability report explores five key dynamic areas with major influence on human, planetary and economic health, and reveals four distinct trajectories emerging from the COVID-19 crisis. Read more
Insights from leading Asian fashion manufacturers driving circular innovation. Read more
How a value networks approach helps you go further, faster. Read more
Forum for the Future, together with the University of West London and the Future Plates initiative, have developed and piloted eight forward thinking, sustainability led lessons Read more
Cooking up a Sustainable Future: Insights and recommendations for actions to evolve mainstream culinary skills curricula Read more
Integrating food and protein sustainability into your culinary skills teaching. A handbook for culinary skills lecturers, teachers and trainers. Read more
An ambitious shared vision for unleashing the untapped potential of Man-made Cellulosic Fibres (MMCF) for building socio-economic resilience and regenerating our social and natural systems so that we avoid or reduce the likelihood of future shocks. Read more
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2019 Read more
A report from Sir Jonathon Porritt for The Aotearoa Circle, written to inform The Fenwick Forum, a virtual meeting of 65 corporate and public sector leaders on 11 June 2020. The aim of the Forum is to ensure COVID-19 recovery investment supports both economic recovery and ultimate protection and restoration of our natural environment. Read more
Our joint report, Fashion Futures 2025: global scenarios for a sustainable fashion industry, describes how fashion companies can be successful by becoming sustainable, and draws on Forum’s expertise in futures thinking and a series of in-depth interviews and peer reviews with fashion experts from around the world – in academia, trade unions, NGOs, manufacturing, design and retail. It outlines five lessons for the fashion industry and also includes practical ways that companies from all parts of Read more
Agriculture sits at the nexus of some of the world’s most pressing challenges: climate change, food security and nutrition, water and soil quality, biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods. Forum for the Future is calling for a just transition to a regenerative agriculture system, which is one that puts back more into the environment and society than it takes out. Read more
Cotton 2040 brings together stakeholders from across the globe to integrate existing efforts and speed up the shift to a sustainable cotton industry. The four future scenarios were created as a way to better understand the barriers to scaling up sustainable cotton, explore the risks and opportunities for the industry, and identify where collaborative action is most needed. Read more
Our report, The Future of Food, explores this question and reviews the current state of the market. Read more
So what will life be like for people in 2030? In this report, we consider how social and economic trends will affect people’s everyday lives, exploring the impact of demographic shifts, changes in the global economy, and new ways of consuming and producing products. Read more
Protein Challenge 2040: Future Plates Understanding the role of chefs in rebalancing protein consumption for health and sustainability: 2018 Chefs survey insights Read more
Protein Challenge 2040 Future Plates: Rebalancing protein consumption for health and sustainability Report on expert roundtable June 2019 Read more
“The future of the building marketplace is one where traditional construction is a thing of the past, where reconstruction and redeployment are commonplace. A world where buildings can be flexibly changed, adapted, expanded and reduced according to demand or use. Read more
This document gives more detail about the 10 Business Model Innovations we identified as drivers for a circular economy. Read more
FutureScapes is an exciting collaboration project that aims to explore the potential of technology and entertainment to create a better, more sustainable world in 2025. It's not about predicting the future so much as imagining the possibilities. Read more
Published November 2014. Many studies have explored the potential of different technologies to contribute to the UK energy system - albeit with widely varying results - but few have explicitly considered the potential role that sustainable farm-based energy could play. Read more
Published June 2008. As concerns about Climate Change grow, the concept of 'carbon neutrality' has captured the corporate imagination, being embraced by organisations as diverse as airlines, ice-cream makers and reinsurance giants. Read more
A project investigating urban system integration in the UK. Cities thrive by meeting the needs of their citizens. Throughout history, those that have done this best have been the most important, and those that have done it longest have been the most powerful. Read more
It aims to help individuals and groups interested in engaging with synthetic biology to consider a broad range of risks and opportunities and a variety of perspectives on them. Read more
The Dialogues explore the role of informality in fostering inclusion and building resilience. Read more
Initiating, building and managing collaborations for long-term success. Read more
Fashion is a big deal. The global apparel, accessories and luxury goods market generated total revenues of $1,334.1 billion in 2008.1 Read more
Today's complex sustainability challenges require ambitious, joined-up solutions and a shift from standalone innovations to deliberate collective action at scale. Read more
We undertook an investigation to understand how the automotive industry is exploring closed loop models, where are the opportunities, barriers and recommendations for a more sustainable automotive industry. Read more
Insights from energy industry and political leaders on the rapidly changing UK energy system. Read more
We can be sure of one thing about the future: it will be radically different from today. The global recession shows how quickly things can change... Read more
Steps towards a sustainable future for the tea industry. We don't eat it. We certainly don't need it to survive. So, why is tea so important? Read more
In 2015-16, Forum for the Future explored the potential of business to improve the health and wellbeing of millions of people. Read more
Discover our latest publication exploring seven global trends that will shape sustainability into the 2020s. Read more
Your guide to the future of sustainable urban mobility in 2040. Read more
Many of the vital systems that we rely on are not working. We need a big shift to create a sustainable future. This paper discusses 6 steps needed to significant change Read more
Envisioning the future of Retail Practical tools based around current trends and four future scenarios to help retailers plan for the years ahead. Read more
Find out about the <2°C Futures Scenarios, created to help business navigate climate impacts and make more informed decisions. Read more
Accelerating momentum across the animal feed system to act on sustainability. Feed Compass focused on enabling the scaling up of sustainable animal feed innovation to meet current and future demand for animal protein. Read more
Applying our futures and systems expertise, we helped a global agency understand the future sources of vulnerability for children and adolescents in South Asia and how they might address them. Read more
Accelerating Innovation and Action. The Protein Challenge 2040, a ground-breaking international pre-competitive collaboration, has set out to address these challenges head-on. Read more
The year is 2030. Global supply chains are shrinking. The US president has called for the UN to be dismantled. Globalisation is in retreat, trade barriers are rising and conflicts over water, food and energy are breaking out. Read more
The scenarios highlight a number of key future shifts, that when combined could fundamentally reconfigure the culture and dominant paradigm of Europe Read more